You stare at your laptop screen, feeling defeated. It’s 12 am, and you’re still trying to figure out your new project management tool. It sounded simple at first, but now you’re three days into wrestling with user permissions, custom fields, and integration settings.
Meanwhile, the actual project deadline is getting closer.
If you’re running a small team or startup, you’ve been there (the irony isn’t lost on anyone: the tool meant to make you productive becomes a productivity killer).
And so, we’ve compiled the top three project management tools that require minimal setup time. You can use them for project tracking, team management, task creation, and more. Let’s bring all your projects under one roof! 💪
🔍 Did You Know? The classic sticky note, still used by teams today to manage priorities, was invented by accident in 1968 when a 3M scientist created a weak adhesive. It became a low-tech but wildly popular ‘setup-free’ project management solution.
Top 3 PM Software That Take Less Time to Set Up
Summarize this article for me pleaseTop 3 PM Software That Take Less Time to Set Up at a Glance
Here’s a comparison table that helps you understand the best project management software at a glance.
| Tool | Best for | Key features | Pros and Cons | Pricing* |
| ClickUp | AI-powered project management and collaboration for individuals, small teams, and enterprises | ClickUp Brain and Brain Max, Automations, Integrations, Docs, Whiteboards, mind maps | Pros: AI generates tasks, docs, and workflows instantly – Handles simple and complex projects Cons: Desktop version is more feature-rich, Extensive customization can take some time | Free forever; Customizations available for enterprises |
| Basecamp | Simple project communication and task management for small to mid-sized teams | To-do lists, message boards, Campfire chat for cross-functional collaboration, resource allocation, file storage, and project scheduling | Pros: Straightforward setup, Predictable structure, Built-in communication tools Cons: Limited advanced features (no Gantt, dependencies), Minimal customization | Free; Paid plan starts at $15/month per user (Plus) |
| Trello | Visual task and workflow management for small teams or project managers | Kanban boards, customizable cards, project planning using checklists, labels, and Power-Ups (integrations) | Pros: Easy to set up and use. Visual, intuitive task tracking. Flexible for teams and individuals Cons: Boards can get cluttered at scale, Kanban-focused, and limited view options | Free; Paid plans start at $6/month per user |
How we review software at ClickUp
Our editorial team follows a transparent, research-backed, and vendor-neutral process, so you can trust that our recommendations are based on real product value.
Here’s a detailed rundown of how we review software at ClickUp.
🧠 Fun Fact: In the 1960s, NASA relied on early project management systems like PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) to send astronauts to the moon. These setups were so complex that they needed entire rooms of staff just to manage tasks and timelines.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in a PM Software That Takes Less Time to Set Up?
Here are the key criteria to look for in your project management software:
- Quick onboarding: Easy account creation, minimal setup steps, and templates that help teams get started right away
- Intuitive design: Clear navigation and drag-and-drop functionality so even new users can work confidently without training
- Pre-built templates: Ready-to-use workflows for different industries and use cases, saving hours of manual setup
- Flexible customization: Options to adapt boards, fields, and dashboards to your needs without unnecessary complexity
- Integrations that just work: Native connections with popular tools like Slack, Google Drive, or Zoom, so you don’t spend time linking systems
- Mobile and web accessibility: A consistent experience across devices so teams can stay aligned from day one
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Best Project Management Software That Takes Less Time to Set Up
Here are the top three task management software designed for quick setup, easy onboarding, and immediate productivity while tracking multiple projects. 👀
1. ClickUp (Best for AI-powered project management and team collaboration)
When you’re setting up a new project, every hour spent creating docs, structuring workflows, or linking tools is an hour lost in execution. Plus, your team must now familiarize themselves with a whole host of docs (and sometimes tools) to get work done. This leads to work sprawl, exhaustion, and a nagging sense of disconnection from work.
ClickUp, a Converged AI Workspace, is built to solve for precisely this. It is the world’s first Converged AI Workspace, bringing together all work apps, data, and workflows. How, you ask?
ClickUp Project Management Software combines project management, knowledge management, and chat—all powered by AI that helps you work faster and smarter. Here’s what makes it a go-to choice for fast, AI-powered project setup and management. 👀
Leverage templates for a ready-to-go setup
Choose from 1000s of ClickUp project management templates customized to your project, download them for free, and voila! You’re all set and ready to execute/
These ready-made structures are tailored for different workflows and industries. With just a few clicks, you can load templates that include pre-built Spaces, Folders, Lists, tasks, and Docs—each designed to support popular project management methodologies like Agile, Scrum, or Kanban.
These templates come with customizable fields, statuses, and views, allowing teams to quickly organize tasks, assign responsibilities, and track progress without starting from scratch. This saves your team a ton of time in project setup and also ensures consistency and best practices across all your projects.
The ClickUp Project Management Template above, for instance, provides a pre-built structure that organizes tasks, phases, and resources from the outset. Beyond tasks, the template brings context into one place. Use connected ClickUp Docs for project plans or SOWs, Forms to capture requests, and ClickApps like Time Tracking or Dependencies to keep work accountable and predictable.
Work faster with ClickUp Brain and Brain Max
ClickUp Brain is a built-in AI project assistant, designed to eliminate the slow, manual setup that usually drags projects down. It auto-generates Docs, task lists, and even suggests automations so you can get your workspace running in minutes.
For instance, a startup founder can type ‘Create a go-to-market plan for a new product launch.’ ClickUp Brain instantly gives you a task list with deliverables like website updates, press releases, and ad campaigns, complete with deadlines and owners.
ClickUp Brain can even recommend automations, such as ‘auto-assign design tasks when content is approved’ or ‘send an email reminder before deadlines,’ to reduce manual follow-ups.
💡 Bonus: Tired of digging through files or jumping between tools just to keep projects moving? ClickUp Brain MAX is built to simplify project management from day one—no complicated setup, no steep learning curve:
- 🔍 Locate project files instantly: Search across ClickUp, Google Drive, GitHub, SharePoint, OneDrive, and more without leaving your workspace
- 🎙️ Manage work by voice: Use Talk to Text to create tasks, update timelines, assign owners, or generate documentation hands-free
- 🛠️ Eliminate Tool Sprawl: Replace disconnected AI apps and leverage premium AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini embedded in one context-aware solution built into your project workflows
Whether you’re launching a product, tracking sprints, or managing client deliverables, try ClickUp Brain MAX—the AI Super App that truly understands you, because it knows your work. Ditch the AI Sprawl, use your voice to get work done, create documents, assign tasks to team members, and more.
Automate repetitive tasks with ClickUp Automations
ClickUp Automations let you set up ‘if this, then that’ rules. You pick the trigger and decide what should happen next.
Here’s the simple flow for workflow management using AI:
- Trigger: Something changes, like a task status or due date
- Condition: Add filters, such as ‘only if priority is high’
- Action: ClickUp responds by assigning a task, updating a field, or sending a reminder
It takes only minutes to build, and once it’s set, the workflow continues to run on its own.
And if you don’t want to build rules manually, the AI Automation Builder can create them for you. Simply type what you need in natural language, such as ‘If priority is high, assign to John and set the due date for tomorrow,’ and the automation is generated instantly.
Visualize and track project progress with custom ClickUp Dashboards
Without a clear, real-time view of progress, teams struggle to identify bottlenecks, allocate resources effectively, and align stakeholders. ClickUp Dashboards give you a real-time view to monitor projects, goals, and team activity.
You can add AI Cards onto your Dashboard to display tasks, charts, time tracking, goals, docs, or even AI-powered insights. Rearrange, resize, or remove cards instantly so your Dashboard keeps up as priorities shift. You can drop in:
- AI Brain Card: Run a custom prompt like ‘Summarize risks and blockers across active sprints’ and get an instant briefing
- AI Team StandUp Card: See what your team worked on this week in one clean summary, perfect for weekly syncs
- AI Executive Summary Card: Pull a snapshot of project health and department status without digging through updates
- AI Project Update Card: Auto-generate progress reports for stakeholders on the fly
For instance, the Key Accomplishments card allows the AI to automatically look at all the tasks you’ve completed over the last seven days in your space and generate a little paragraph for you. It highlights the big wins, foundational work, and scans for tasks marked ‘At Risk’ or ‘Blocker.’
Let pre-built AI Agents do the heavy lifting for you
Managing multiple priorities is hard enough—updating task statuses, generating reports, chasing blockers? That’s where ClickUp AI Agents come in.
Pre-built autopilot AI Agents are designed to supercharge project management by automating routine tasks, providing real-time insights, and supporting teams with instant answers. Built directly into your workspace, these smart assistants work behind the scenes to keep projects moving.
Here’s what project managers can unlock with ClickUp Agents:
- Run AI standups that consolidate task updates and team progress without a single meeting
- Auto-update project statuses so everyone sees real-time progress without manual check-ins
- Assign tasks intelligently based on team workload and availability
- Flag blockers before they escalate by scanning for risks across dependencies and deadlines
ClickUp key features
- Switch between 15+ views: Visualize projects to fit your workflow with ClickUp Views like List, Gantt, Calendar, and more
- Centralize project knowledge: Keep SOWs, project data, and requirements connected to tasks and timelines in ClickUp Docs
- Streamline project requests: Collect feedback, change requests, and incoming work with ClickUp Forms that route tasks automatically
- Capture project meetings: Get instant transcripts, summaries, and action items with ClickUp AI Notetaker for Zoom, Teams, and ClickUp calls
- Connect with third-party tools: Bring together tools you already rely on, like Google Drive, Zoom, Hubspot, Microsoft Project, and more, with ClickUp Integrations, and reduce context switching
ClickUp pros
- Use AI to generate tasks, docs, and workflows instantly
- Manage both simple projects and complex, multi-level structures
- Map ideas, plan workflows, and collaborate in real time with ClickUp Whiteboards
- Connect tasks, docs, chats, and goals in a single platform
- Leverage AI-powered project execution with ClickUp Brain to prioritize tasks and get instant insights across your workspace
ClickUp cons
- The extensive customization options can be overwhelming at first
ClickUp pricing
free forever
Best for individual users
Free Free
Key Features:
60MB Storage
Unlimited Tasks
Unlimited Free Plan Members
unlimited
Best for small teams
$7 $10
Everything in Free Forever plus:
Unlimited Storage
Unlimited Folders and Spaces
Unlimited Integrations
business
Best for mid-sized teams
$12 $19
Everything in Unlimited, plus:
Google SSO
Unlimited Message History
Unlimited Mind Maps
enterprise
Best for many large teams
Get a custom demo and see how ClickUp aligns with your goals.
Everything in Business, plus:
White Labeling
Conditional Logic in Forms
Subtasks in Multiple Lists
* Prices when billed annually
The world's most complete work AI, starting at $9 per month
ClickUp Brain is a no Brainer. One AI to manage your work, at a fraction of the cost.
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (10,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
Why is it great for managing multiple priorities?
ClickUp keeps all projects, tasks, and docs connected in one place, so you can switch between client deliverables, internal goals, and ad-hoc requests without losing context.
With AI-generated summaries and customizable views, you instantly see what’s urgent, what’s blocked, and what can wait, making project prioritization a breeze.
What are real-life users saying about ClickUp?
This G2 review sums it perfectly:
💡 Bonus: ClickUp AI Notetaker automatically joins your meetings, transcribes conversations, and creates clear, organized notes, so project managers never have to worry about missing important details.
2. Basecamp (Best for simple team communication and client collaboration)
Basecamp thrives in simplicity. When you create a new project, you simply choose which tools you need from their toolkit. This can include their message board for team discussions, a to-do list for tracking tasks, and a shared calendar for deadlines. Everything, from tasks and files to decisions and conversations, lives inside these projects.
The home screen shows your projects, assignments, and upcoming events so you immediately know what’s on your plate. Each person sees only their work, deadlines, and priorities, removing distractions and making onboarding painless.
You also get practical features like their Campfire chat for quick questions and automatic check-ins to replace weekly status meetings. It also gives you a Card Table that works like a basic Kanban board, reducing setup time.
Basecamp key features
- Keep teams aligned with Projects and store to-dos, files, discussions, and decisions together
- Visualize progress clearly with Hill Charts, Lineup, and Mission Control to understand where projects stand
- Share files, approvals, and feedback while keeping control over what clients see for cross-functional collaboration
- Simplify communication with Pings and Hey! Menu to send direct chats and manage all notifications from a distraction-free menu
Basecamp pros
- A straightforward setup means new users can onboard the task management software in minutes without training
- Predictable structure across projects reduces confusion and keeps teams focused
- Client-friendly features ensure transparency without oversharing unfinished work
- Built-in communication to avoid scattered chats, emails, and texts
Basecamp cons
- Focuses on simplicity, which can feel restrictive for teams wanting advanced features
- Prioritizes ease of use over flexibility, meaning fewer options for customization and scaling
- Only built-in templates are available, with no room for personalization, unlike other Basecamp alternatives
- Some users find the color scheme and button placements less intuitive
Basecamp pricing
- Free
- Plus: $15/month per user
- Pro Unlimited: $349/month per user
Basecamp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (5,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5 (14,000+ reviews)
Why is it great for managing multiple priorities?
Basecamp’s Hill Charts let you see exactly where projects stand, from early exploration to final delivery. This visual approach helps you manage multiple projects by spotting which work is on track and which areas need attention.
What are real-life users saying about Basecamp?
Here’s what a Basecamp review from a user said:
📮 ClickUp Insight: The average professional spends 30+ minutes a day searching for work-related information—that’s over 120 hours a year lost to digging through emails, Slack threads, and scattered files. An intelligent AI assistant embedded in your workspace can change that.
Enter ClickUp Brain. It delivers instant insights and answers by surfacing the right documents, conversations, and task details in seconds—so you can stop searching and start working.
💫 Real Results: Teams like QubicaAMF reclaimed 5+ hours weekly using ClickUp—that’s over 250 hours annually per person—by eliminating outdated knowledge management processes. Imagine what your team could create with an extra week of productivity every quarter!
💡 Bonus: Top Basecamp Alternatives
3. Trello (Best for quick setup and visual task management)
Trello is a visual, Kanban-style task organizer. Trello boards represent your projects, lists show different stages of work (To Do, In Progress, and Done), and cards hold individual tasks. You can drag and drop cards as work moves forward. This intuitive approach makes it easy to grasp.
Each card grows with your needs. Start with a basic task title, then add details as needed: checklists for breaking down complex work, team member assignments for accountability, and due dates for time management. You can also attach files to them for context.
The collaborative features work seamlessly, with team members receiving notifications when they’re mentioned in comments or assigned to tasks. Color-coded labels help categorize tasks at a glance, while filtering and sorting options keep large boards manageable.
Trello key features
- Organize your week with Planner, sync calendars, and allocate focus time directly in Trello
- Automate repetitive tasks with Butler AI by building no-code rules to assign tasks, move cards, or send reminders
- Mirrors work with Card Mirroring to keep the same task visible across multiple boards and track cross-functional projects
- Extend functionality with Power-Ups, adding integrations like Google Drive, Jira, or Confluence to tailor boards to your workflow
Trello pros
- Easy to set up and understand, even for non-technical users
- Visual Kanban-style boards make task tracking intuitive and transparent
- Inbox consolidates communication into actionable tasks, reducing missed follow-ups
- Flexible enough for personal productivity, small teams, or departmental workflows
Trello cons
- Boards can quickly become cluttered and messy when handling hundreds of cards or complex workflows
- Lacks advanced project management features, like task dependencies and detailed workload tracking
- Designed primarily around Kanban boards, which may not suit teams that prefer timeline-based or hierarchical project views
- No native Gantt chart support for teams needing visualized timelines and overlapping task tracking
- Bulk actions, such as assigning deadlines to multiple cards, are not supported out of the box
Trello pricing
- Free
- Standard: $6/month per user
- Premium: $12.50/month per user
- Enterprise: $$17.50/month per user (Billed annually)
Trello ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (13,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (23,000+ reviews)
Why it’s great for managing multiple priorities
Trello’s boards, lists, and mirrored cards enable you to track work across multiple projects without losing context. Paired with Butler automation, routine updates run in the background, allowing you to prioritize other tasks.
What are real-life users saying about Trello?
Straight from a G2 review:
🔍 Did You Know? In the 1800s, large construction projects, such as railroads, were managed using telegraphs to send updates across long distances.
📖 Also Read: Best Trello Alternatives and Competitors
Summarize this article for me pleaseOther Notable Mentions
Not every tool makes the main list, but a few still deserve a shoutout. Here are some other project management software worth exploring for specific use cases:
- Monday.com: Use colorful boards, ready-made automations, and workdocs to set up projects quickly without a learning curve
- Wrike: Start fast with customizable templates, easy request forms, and drag-and-drop Gantt charts for instant project visibility
- Smartsheet: Build projects in a familiar spreadsheet-style layout, while still adding dashboards, automations, and reporting to scale work
👀 Did You Know: Over a three-year period, organizations using ClickUp achieved an estimated 384% return on investment (ROI), according to Forrester Research. These organizations generated about US $3.9 million in incremental revenue through projects enabled or improved by ClickUp.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Manage Multiple Priorities Effectively (Tips + Best Practices)
When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to get stuck. Here are action-driven techniques to help you stay organized and in control:
- Prioritize using the Eisenhower Matrix: Sort tasks into four zones: urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, and neither. This clears decision fatigue and ensures your effort stays impactful
- Block focused time for deep work: Schedule uninterrupted blocks dedicated to high-priority tasks. Time blocking or Pomodoro-style intervals improve concentration and reduce multitasking inefficiency
- Create an overarching master plan: Map out all active projects with key objectives, milestones, timelines, and resource allocation in one unified view. This helps track overlaps, conflicts, and deadlines, giving clarity on next steps across the board
- Delegate with precision: Assign tasks to the right people based on their skills and workload. Clear expectations and regular check-ins ensure accountability while freeing you to focus on top priorities
- Centralize progress reporting: Use a visual dashboard or consolidated tracking tool to keep all updates, metrics, and timelines in one place. This creates a real-time source of truth and exposes delays before they snowball
- Communicate proactively and regularly: Set recurring check-ins or updates and share progress openly with your team and stakeholders. Early alerts about challenges help prevent surprises and foster a culture of transparency
⚡ Template Archive: Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance with a simple drag-and-drop matrix with the ClickUp Eisenhower Matrix Template. It’s perfect for cutting through the noise to focus on what matters most.
🎥 Watch: The 10 Best AI project management tools compared:
Summarize this article for me pleaseGet, Set (Up), Go With ClickUp
Starting a new project shouldn’t involve wading through a maze of settings, permissions, and tutorials. A project management tool that takes less time to set up matters here. You can start organizing work and tracking progress right away instead of spending days figuring out the software.
ClickUp, the everything app for work, is the perfect workspace for this. Its project management features keep your tasks and deadlines organized, while ClickUp Brain gives you AI-powered insights to focus on what matters most.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up to ClickUp for free today! ✅
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
